Bidding adieu to the hospitable1 host, we continued our journey along the eastern side of the Turmáber range, through a country considerably2 improved in point of beauty. There was a warmth of appearance about the numerous hamlets, quite in unison3 with the increased temperature of this lower tract4. Gayer flowers bloomed by the way-side; more brilliant birds fluttered among the thick corinda hedges, through which peeped the eglantine, the honeysuckle, and the blackberry; and the entire prospect5, although exceedingly broken, was covered with the most luxuriant grass, in every spot where the hand of the cultivator had not been busy. The slope of each hill and abrupt6 eminence7 was wooded with junipers and other fantastic evergreens8; fields of yellow safflower glowed in golden tints9; and teff, growing in the depths of the valleys, resembled greatly the waving rice-fields of Asia.
Dame10 Twotit, one of the king’s choristers, who accompanied the army to Garra Gorphoo, and was now making a professional tour of the provinces, joined us en route, carrying a small wicker parasol; and as she ambled11 along upon her mule12, with the butter pouring in streams over her shoulders, through the influence of the solar rays, the good lady was pleased to chant extemporaneous13 couplets in honour of the war about to be waged against the beasts of the forest. “The Gyptzis will slay14 the elephant, whereof all the warriors15 of Amhára are afraid”—whilst it formed the burden of her song, conveyed an opinion diametrically opposed to that entertained by the public; and the followers16, inspired by the words of a woman, took up the sentiment, and made the valleys re-echo to their martial17 chorus, which attracted to the roadside the inhabitants of every hamlet in the vicinity.
Mahhfood, a village hemmed18 in by high kolquál hedges, formed the termination of the march. Its natural fortifications having uniformly proved insurmountable, this district has never been conquered either by the Galla or Mohammadans. The residence of the governor, who has been honoured with the hand of Wo?zoro Birkenich, daughter of Queen Besábesh by her former marriage, stands on the apex19 of the loftiest of the many isolated20 hills; and in accordance with the precaution invariably taken to prevent surprise on these disturbed frontiers, it is surrounded by a formidable fence. Our camp was pitched at the foot; and the thermometer having stood in the morning at 32 degrees on the summit of Dokáket, the difference in temperature was considerably felt during the afternoon, when the mercury mounted to 90° under the flimsy palls21 which formed our only screen.
Having been specially22 recommended to Ayto Gádeloo, whose acquaintance I had formed during the late foray, we paid him a visit of ceremony in the cool of the evening, and were received and entertained according to the perfection of Abyssinian etiquette23. The whole of the dirty domestics and household slaves were mustered24 on the occasion, to witness the presentation of gifts brought for the “Emabiet,” (i.e. “The mother of the house”—a title of honour employed in speaking of the queen, the princesses royal, the mistress of a family, and the holy Virgin25, who is usually styled “Our Lady.”) who, like the rest of the princesses royal, displayed unequivocal signs of being sole and undisputed mistress of the establishment. Fat, fair, and forty, she was seated in a gloomy recess26, upon an “alga,” and partially27 screened from view by the intervention28 of a lusty handmaiden. The good man, who occupied a corner of the throne, presented in his owlish features the very personification of a well-trained, hen-pecked husband, for years accustomed to the iron rule of the shrew—and so complete was her monopoly, that he could be said to boast of little beyond the empty title of governor of Mahhfood.
The lady put a few preliminary questions touching29 the number of wives we each possessed30, and appeared highly to approve of the matrimonial code that limited the number to one. But throughout the dingy31 mansion32 there was a miserable33 assumption of regal dignity which considerably retarded34 conversation, by imparting to the whole ceremony an air of unbending stiffness. The host, who was either unable or unwilling35 to answer any interrogatories respecting his own country, subjected us to a tiresome36 catechism; and like the Arab Bedouin, who formed his estimate of the poverty of Europe by the fact of its producing neither dates nor camels, Ayto Gádeloo conceived a passing indifferent idea of Great Britain, from the discovery that it boasted of no mules37.
“Have you máshela, and dáboo, and túllah in your country?” (Anglice, “maize, bread, and beer”) he inquired, whilst his fair partner feasted her eyes upon the “pleasing things” presented, in none of which it was evident the lord of the creation was destined38 to participate—“Oh, you have all these; well, and have you oxen and sheep, and horses and mules?”—“How, no mules?” he shouted in derision, while the slaves tittered and hid their black faces, and their mistress laughed outright—“Why, what a miserable country yours must be!”
Shortly after daybreak we resumed our journey through very thriving crops, descending39 to the valley of the Robi, where the eye was greeted by a perfect scene of Eastern cultivation40. Juwarree, fifteen feet high, teff, chilies41, onions, oil-plant, and cotton, in many parts artificially irrigated42, flourished with the utmost luxuriance on a rich-black soil, under a climate resembling that of the more favoured spots in Western India. The scenery of this richly-wooded and well-watered valley was not a little enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding mountains, of which the numerous peaks were tufted with trees, and crowned by populous43 hamlets, whilst the redundance of vegetation, and the growth and quality of the cotton, with a soil adapted for the production of sugar, coffee, and rice, proclaimed the locality to possess the very highest natural advantages as an emigrating settlement.
In the broad shallow channel of the Robi, upwards44 of two hundred yards across, which pours into the Háwash between a belt of verdant45 acacias two sparkling streams of the clearest water, are found an inexhaustible supply of round pebbles46 of every size, which being assorted47, are used by the Amhára fusiliers in lieu of the usual iron bullets. They are even employed as slugs and shot, and form a large item in the tribute paid by this district, wherein alone they are obtained. Crossing the river, the road entered a thick jungle; and we were warned to be on our guard, as it had long been infested48 by banditti called Gowezza, composed principally of Christian49 outcasts, who absconded50 either from fear of their creditors51, or of church censure52. During the great famine in the year of Saint Luke, their numbers were augmented53 by from five to six hundred Christian, Mohammadan, and Galla vagabonds, who formed themselves into a lawless band, and renouncing54 all forms of religion, took up their permanent abode55 in the greenwood, where, favoured by the nature of the ground, they could plunder56 and kidnap with impunity57.
To the notes of an Abyssinian war chorus, which still proclaimed our hostile designs on the lordly elephant, the plain was crossed without any demonstrations58 on the part of the outlaws59; and leaving the high peaks of Chureecha and Sangóta on the right, with Mungut and Salla?sh on the left, the road ascended60 the Gozi mountain by a narrow pass, leading under a peak on which stands a house belonging to Wulásma Mohammad. Abomésa, forming the termination of the range towards the Ada?el frontier, limits his power in this direction, his rights as Abogáz extending westward61 to Bulga. The district of Gozi is entirely62 peopled by Mohammadans styled Arablet, whose progenitors63 are said by tradition to have been left there prior to the reign64 of Nagási, first king of Shoa. Hoossain, Wahabit, and Abdool Kurreem, generals probably detached from the victorious65 army of Graan, are represented to have come from Mecca, and to have taken possession of the country—the legend assigning to the first of these warriors as his capital the populous village of Medina, which is conspicuous66 on a cone67 among the mountains shortly after entering the valley of the Robi.
Having descended68 the Gozi range, the road led across an extensive flat, styled “the wilderness69 of Giddem,” which forms the neutral ground betwixt the Amhára and the Ada?el. But less than four years have elapsed since the great chief of the Gibdósa, at the head of his whole clan70, made a sudden inroad, and swept off all the cattle in this district. The Christians71 pursuing the invaders72, slew73 great numbers in an engagement fought near Rása, and recovered a portion of the spoil; but on their march back, they were in turn overtaken by Anbássa Ali, who destroyed upwards of one thousand.
The valley of Giddem is watered by four fine rivers, which we crossed in succession—the Sower, “mystery,” the Ashmák, “man who deals in sorcery,” the Gásha Bakindee, “shield on my arm,” and the Jow-wahá, “stupid water”—the whole of which, uniting after their escape from the mountains, join the Háwash not far from Mount Azulo. The Gásha Bakindee, the banks of which are precipitous and thickly wooded, is represented to have been the scene of numberless murders on the part of the Wollo Galla, who are here in the constant habit of way-laying travellers through the wilderness. To the eastward74 of the valley, therefore, the hand of the cultivator has been stayed, and the forest, standing75 in large gloomy patches, choked with reeds and wild canes76, is tenanted by troops of guinea-fowl, by the boar, the lion, and the elephant; but to the westward, on either side of the road, the cultivation is magnificent—the soil, the climate, and the abundant supply of water, with the shelter afforded by the surrounding hills, proving especially favourable77 to the labours of the agriculturist. Traces of the huge tenants78 of the shades so worthy79 of their bulk, were however visible among the adjacent crops, and the dread80 entertained of their visits was well evinced by numerous elevated platforms, constructed upon the highest trees that bordered the rich plantations81 of cotton and red pepper.
On the sedge-grown banks of the Sower, beneath the spreading branches of a venerable tamarind, we found Ayto Abaiyo, with a numerous retinue82, reposing83 during the noontide heat, on his way to assume the district of Mungust, to the south-southwest, the late governor having been summarily removed on charges of oppression. In the principal town, Mosábiet, is held one of the chief markets in the kingdom, the high road to Manchettee, the Wollo, and the Yedjow Galla passing through it. The numerous mounted retinue of the haughty84 functionary85 had conjured86 up misgivings87 in the mind of our guide, who, since leaving Mahhfood, had never ceased allusions88 to the “Gowezza;” nor was it without much persuasion89 and remonstrance90 that he was finally induced to cross the river with us, and to hail from a respectful distance the suspicious band of his own countrymen.
Leaving the valley of Giddem, seven miles in length, the route led over a very broken and stony91 rise into a third vale, also richly cultivated, whence commenced the ascent92 of the Kokfári range. We halted for the night at the village of Zumbo, pleasantly situated93 on a pretty green terrace on the mountain side between Manya and Dai Mariam, and I despatched the King’s messenger in advance to apprise94 Ayto Tsánna, the governor, of our arrival within his jurisdiction95. Supplies poured in from all directions; but although now far beyond the reach of the much-dreaded freebooters, it was not destined that our hours should be passed in peace. Attracted by the smell of honey, a legion of huge black ants swarmed96 into the tent; and invading every bed, caused one slumberer97 after the other to start in madness to his feet. In vain we obtained a light, and massacred thousands upon thousands—a fresh army streamed upon the track of the annihilated98 troops; and so unremitting were their persecutions, that we ultimately found it necessary to strike the camp, and remove to a remote stubble field, where, although fairly beaten from the field, pursuit was fortunately baffled, and their proximity99 speedily forgotten.
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1
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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evergreens
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| n.常青树，常绿植物，万年青( evergreen的名词复数 ) | |
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tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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extemporaneous
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| adj.即席的，一时的 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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palls
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| n.柩衣( pall的名词复数 )；墓衣；棺罩；深色或厚重的覆盖物v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的第三人称单数 ) | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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40
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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chilies
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| n.红辣椒( chili的名词复数 ) | |
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irrigated
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| [医]冲洗的 | |
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populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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46
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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assorted
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| adj.各种各样的，各色俱备的 | |
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infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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50
absconded
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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52
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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53
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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54
renouncing
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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progenitors
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| n.祖先( progenitor的名词复数 )；先驱；前辈；原本 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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cone
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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69
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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76
canes
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| n.（某些植物，如竹或甘蔗的）茎( cane的名词复数 )；（用于制作家具等的）竹竿；竹杖 | |
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77
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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86
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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87
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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89
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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90
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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91
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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slumberer
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| 睡眠者，微睡者 | |
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annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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